WSU Cooperative Extension

What WSU Cooperative Extension does

WSU Cooperative Extension (operating as WSU Extension) is the outreach arm of Washington State University, a public land-grant research university founded in 1890. It operates under the College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences (CAHNRS), which accounts for approximately 37% of all WSU extramural spending — more than $114 million in fiscal year 2025. WSU Extension delivers research-based educational programs to Washington State farmers, K-12 youth, communities, and university students through a statewide network of county offices and four Research and Extension Centers (Prosser/IAREC, Wenatchee/TFREC, Mount Vernon/NWREC, and Puyallup).

The core product portfolio spans academic programs (22 majors, 19 minors, 27 graduate programs), applied agricultural research, and direct extension services including the 4-H youth development program, Master Gardener Program, and Juntos 4-H. Domain-specialized technology assets include the AgWeatherNet weather monitoring system (available as a mobile app), the Decision Aid System for fruit and potato growers, and proprietary plant genetics including the trademarked Cosmic Crisp® apple (originally WA 38, launched 2020, generating over $28 million in royalties) and the in-development Sunflare™ variety targeting a 2029 commercial launch.

Revenue mechanics are diversified across federal and state appropriations (USDA Smith-Lever Act funding, block grants), competitive extramural grants, private endowments (e.g., the $5 million Cashup Davis Family Endowment established in 2018), donations, and licensing royalties from commercialized research products. Most programs and publications are provided free of charge; the 300,000 annual volunteer hours reflect the program's reliance on community-based delivery. Strategic leadership rests with Dean Raj Khosla, the Cashup Davis Family Endowed Dean of CAHNRS.

Name

WSU Cooperative Extension

Legal name

Washington State University

Website

https://cahnrs.wsu.edu

Company type

Public

Founded year

1890

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

WSU Cooperative Extension is the outreach arm of Washington State University's College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences, delivering research-based education, agricultural extension, and 4-H youth programs to Washington State farmers, communities, and families through county offices and four Research and Extension Centers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Agricultural Extension Services

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Educational Support Services (6117)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Research Universities with Major Extension & Outreach Missions (EDAHAAAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

University/College Continuing Education (Extension) Programs (EDAAAEAA)

Keywords

• Agricultural extension services
• Community education programs
• 4-H youth development
• Applied agricultural research
• Cooperative extension

Headquarters

HQ city

Kelso, Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Funding & Grants: As part of WSU's land-grant mission, CAHNRS receives substantial government funding and competitive extramural grants. The college accounts for close to 37% of all WSU extramural spending, with more than $114 million in fiscal year 2025.
2. Endowments & Donations: Private endowments like the $5 million Cashup Davis Family Endowment support academic and research endeavors. The college also receives donations through its foundation.
3. Licensing Royalties: Revenue from commercializing research products including the Cosmic Crisp® apple variety which has generated over $28 million in royalties.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

WSU Cooperative Extension delivers research-based educational outreach, applied agricultural research, and community development services to Washington State residents through county extension offices, four Research and Extension Centers, and digital platforms. The organization supports farmers, youth, families, and communities with programs in agriculture, natural resources, food safety, youth development (4-H), and horticulture, while also commercializing research products such as the Cosmic Crisp® apple variety and Cougar Gold cheese.

Product overview

WSU Cooperative Extension operates as part of Washington State University's College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences (CAHNRS), delivering educational programs, research, and outreach across Washington state. The organization offers a comprehensive portfolio including academic programs (22 majors, 19 minors, 27 graduate programs), research operations (over $114M in extramural funding), and diverse extension services. Key products and programs include WSU Extension with educational outreach in agriculture and community development; the AgWeatherNet weather monitoring system and Decision Aid System for growers; 4-H youth development including Master Gardener and Juntos programs; research publications and guides; specialty products like the Cosmic Crisp apple and Cougar Gold cheese; and specialized centers addressing viticulture, stormwater management, plant health, and pollinator research. The portfolio is organized around land-grant mission activities supporting healthy communities, sustainable agriculture, and economic development.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• 4-H Youth Development Program: Youth development program focusing on leadership, citizenship, and life skills
• Master Gardener Program
• Juntos 4-H Program
• AgWeatherNet

Products and services

• WSU Extension Programs Educational outreach programs engaging communities across Washington State through research-based knowledge in agriculture, natural resources, and community development.
• 4-H Youth Development Program Youth development program including Japanese exchange programs, firearm injury prevention, and community leadership activities for K-12 youth across Washington State.
• Master Gardener Program Volunteer program training community members in horticulture and gardening, celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2023.
• AgWeatherNet Weather monitoring network providing free local weather data to the agricultural industry and general public, available as a mobile app.
• Decision Aid System (DAS) Decision support system helping fruit and potato growers plan for success with disease, insect, pollination, and crop management information.
• Cosmic Crisp® Apple WSU-bred signature apple variety (WA 38) launched commercially in 2020, generating over $28 million in royalties; successor variety Sunflare™ is in development expected to reach market in 2029.
• Cougar Gold Cheese Iconic WSU cheese product produced at the WSU Creamery, celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2023.
• WSU Wine Science Program Viticulture and enology program including the Wine Science Center, student-made Blended Learning wines, and a new master's degree at Tri-Cities campus.
• Clean Plant Center Northwest Center focused on keeping viruses out of crops and fighting plant diseases including Little Cherry Disease.
• Juntos 4-H Program Program helping Latinx youth and families plan for higher education and career success.
• Washington Stormwater Center Center helping businesses understand stormwater runoff regulations and protect water quality for salmon.
• WSU Creamery Products Dairy products including Cougar Gold cheese, ice cream, and beef sticks produced for educational and retail purposes.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $28 million in royalties from Cosmic Crisp® apple commercialization
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Partners for Rural WashingtoncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 July 2026WSU Extension's Community and Economic Development unit partners with this nonprofit on The Giving Grid project, bringing sustainable energy and long-term savings to rural Washington schools. The partnership was showcased at a national conference.
• Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWSDA provides grants to support testing programs for Little Cherry Disease and specialty crop research at WSU's Clean Plant Center Northwest.
• Washington Tree Fruit Research CommissioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborates with WSU on tree fruit research including fire blight management and WA 38 apple variety development and commercialization.
• USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUSDA-ARS is constructing a new Plant Sciences Building on the WSU Pullman campus to address critical challenges facing national and global agriculture. Joint research programs in specialty crops.
• USDAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal partner supporting agricultural research and extension through block grants and collaborative research initiatives.
• States' 4-H International Exchange ProgramsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational youth exchange program bringing Japanese students to Washington State through the 4-H program, including reunion events with host families.
• Labo International ExchangeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational partner for 4-H youth exchange program with Japan.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Cornell Cooperative Extension: Cornell Cooperative Extension is Cornell's statewide applied-research and outreach system for agriculture, nutrition, youth, and community development. Its university-to-community delivery model closely parallels WSU Extension.
• University of Minnesota Extension: University of Minnesota Extension disseminates applied research across agriculture, natural resources, youth development, and community vitality. Its statewide network and educational role align with WSU's extension activities.
• Penn State Extension: Penn State Extension is Pennsylvania's university-based outreach organization for agriculture, environment, community, and youth programs. Its applied research and practical education offering is closely comparable to WSU Extension.
• University of Florida IFAS Extension: UF/IFAS Extension is the University of Florida's statewide extension arm, translating agricultural and natural-resource research into education and technical support. Its public-service mission and county network are similar to WSU's.
• Purdue Extension: Purdue Extension is Purdue University's statewide land-grant outreach system serving agriculture, families, youth, and communities. It offers a similar public research-to-practitioner model and public-service mission.
• Michigan State University Extension: Michigan State University Extension provides research-based education in agriculture, natural resources, community development, and youth. It shares a land-grant extension mission, decentralized delivery, and public funding model.

Regional players

• Oregon State University Extension Service: Oregon State University Extension is a neighboring land-grant program serving Oregon through county-based agriculture, 4-H, natural-resource, and community education. Its Pacific Northwest footprint and research-translation role make it a strong regional comparable.
• University of Idaho Extension: University of Idaho Extension links university research to agricultural, youth, and community programs through a public land-grant model across Idaho. Its regional scale and county-based delivery are directly comparable to WSU Extension.

Broad incumbents

• Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension is a large statewide public extension network delivering agriculture, natural-resource, youth, and community programs. Its scale is broader, but its university research and county-based delivery model are highly comparable.
• University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources: UC ANR is California's public land-grant research and extension system, delivering applied agricultural research, education, and community programs statewide. Its broader statewide research and extension remit is a close functional analogue to WSU's CAHNRS and Extension platform.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/wsucahnrs
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@WSUCAHNRS
• Facebookfacebook.com/CAHNRS
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/wsu-cooperative-extension
• Instagraminstagram.com/wsucahnrs

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about WSU Cooperative Extension